These Factors May Determine If You'll Be Friends With An Ex

Can you be friends with an ex? It’s a question that has long
plagued broken up couples and, sadly, very few have succeeded in pulling it off.
But for those who have managed to swing the whole friends with an ex thing,
there’s now a psychological reason why they’ve been able to do so: Their personality type.

According to the recent study by psychologists at Oakland
University, the reason that some couples are able to maintain a friendship
after breaking up and some aren’t is a matter of needs. In the case of couples
who can stay friends, it’s a trade of “desirable resources,” such as money,
sex, or information. The study analyzed the responses of over 860 people in
regards to being friends with an ex and found that those with manipulative
personality traits, especially those of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellian
instincts, aka the Dark Triad, could keep a friendship alive after the relationship had come to an
end. But not all psychologists agree.

Janna Koretz,
Psy.D tells Bustle, “I
think what is more to be true is that there are a variety of factors that
promote individuals to stay in touch with their partners.”

So, aside from being a narcissist, what are those factors? Here are six of them. But first, check out the latest episode of Bustle's Sex and Relationships podcast, I Want It That Way:

2. Previous Relationship History

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Another reason why couples might keep the friendship part of
the relationship going, according to Koretz, can be based on their previous
relationships. Depending on how things ended or worked out in those cases, it
can definitely be a deciding factor in whether or not a couple stays friends
after the fact.

3. It’s Practical

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In terms of the dark personality traits, some people remain
friends simply because it’s practical. While it may not score highly as being a
practical decision for everyone, for those with who have the dark triad of
personality traits, it makes perfect sense to them. You know, because they can use it to their advantage.

4. Emotional Characteristics

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Koretz says that emotional characteristics, such as mood and
anxiety, can also play a role in whether two people decide to stay friends
after the end of a relationship. Although I imagine one would have to be in
pretty good mood to try to make the friendship end of things happen.

5. Sentimental Attachment

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Just because the couple couldn’t make it work, doesn’t mean
that sentimental attachment immediately goes out the window. As the study
found, keeping a friendship after a relationship could have to do with
attachment to each other, in addition to feelings of trust and reliability.

6. Life Status

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Although Koretz agrees that personality traits do play a
role in whether or not people stay friends after a breakup, she said that
other factors are more important. “Life
circumstances are also relevant, such as financial status, whether someone is
new to a geographic location, and other life stressors such as a new job,” she says. Just
because the relationship ends, it doesn’t necessarily mean the emotional
support factor has to end, too.